Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, six months ago, this Assembly stopped at nothing to approve an initiative brought forward by the Indigenous governments, and their proposal, I believe, was called the NWTPFP -- I'm not sure why it's actually specifically called project finance permanence. But that said, must matter. So there was $375 million being offered, and the NWT government potentially could stand in the way if we had dragged our heels. In short, Mr. Speaker, it was about a project of lands and keepers of the land, and I'm giving a simple description of it, but it's never been approved federally. So my question to the Minister is where is it today, and what advocacy is our government doing to get this money approved so it can come into the Northwest Territories to protect the land? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Our Land for the Future project has had a lot of significant work done. From the partners' table, all of the preparatory work in order to advance this initiative at the federal level has been complete, and we are currently waiting on an opportunity to meet with the federal government in the coming weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, is this initiative still really on the table, or is it just -- we'll call it a paper exercise? So in other words, what indication is the Minister getting that this is going to be eventually approved? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this initiative has had significant conversation with the Indigenous leaders and Indigenous governments across the Northwest Territories as well as our Cabinet table. I did speak with our new MP, and she was very aware of the importance of this initiative to the Northwest Territories in general, to conservation, and to our Indigenous governments and organizations that are our partners in this endeavour, and we are certainly -- have this top of mind and will continue to lobby for its completion through the treasury board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a lot out there unpacked. But I didn't hear that they're either in favour of it or against it, anticipate to approve it, or working to approve it, anything of that nature. Can the Minister be clear on that initiative; what's the ultimate goal and direction that this department is going to proceed with? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has just sworn in their new Cabinet. Our indications are that they are in favour of -- or continuing with this initiative, and as I said, Cabinet will be visiting Ottawa in the coming weeks to continue the discussion and ensure that we get this very important funding approved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
